State Laws & Regulations

State Laws & Regulations

States and Camp Licensing

Verifying best practices for the extensive range of camps requires a system that is broadly applicable and constantly updated. Currently, states vary significantly in their oversight of camp operations. In many states, camps fall under the jurisdiction of the state health department; in others, licensing and permit fees can vary by county or city. In several states, ACA-accreditation requirements are recognized as the standard of care for camps.

Over the last ten years, an increasing number of states have been working with the American Camp Association's (ACA) camp standards to complement and strengthen the camp profession. At the same time, ACA has advanced its overall professional development efforts and exploration of quality and best practice indicators for the camp industry.

American Camp Association

About ACA

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 12,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, children and adults have the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.